Now that the iPhone 4S is available on Sprint, Apple fans finally have three carriers to chose amongst. But which carrier has the best network? And which has the best contracts? And who has the most restrictive small print included in their contracts? Well, we're here to help: By analyzing data from over 46,600 speed tests recently submitted by our users and exhaustively researching the various service plans each carrier is offering, we've put together the ultimate iPhone buyers guide that should answer even the most inquisitive consumer's every question.

So, which carrier's iPhone is the fastest?

With that in mind, onto the results. To create the map below, we took the most recent speed test data submitted by our users and filtered the data by technology to match the iPhone 4S's wireless chipset. According to our results, AT&T will have the fastest connection speeds in 31 states, Verizon in 6 states. Unfortunately Sprint didn't win in any state, and in 11 states we didn't have enough data for a reliable result.

This doesn't mean that AT&T has the fastest network.

Before we go on, it's really important to note that we're not comparing the carrier's networks in the map above, we're comparing how the iPhone 4S will perform on each carrier.

What's the difference? Well, the iPhone 4S is a dual-mode phone that supports AT&T's 3G network, which uses HSPA technology, and Verizon and Sprint's 3G network, which runs on EVDO. AT&T has recently upgraded their existing HSPA network to HSPA+, which offers almost double the speed of their original 3G network, and the iPhone 4S supports this newly upgraded technology. Verizon and Sprint aren't actually far behind: have both rolled out next-generation 4G networks, and Verizon's LTE network in particular was blazing fast in our recent testing. But since the iPhone 4S doesn't support those networks, they're not included in our analysis. To understand the difference that the HSDPA enabled chipset used in the iPhone 4S makes, take a look at the graph to the right.

Which carrier has the best service plan?

The different carrier's have quite different contracts. While we were compiling our own list, Engadget compiled a really great set of tables describing the different options available. As they noted, AT&T have the cheapest contract offering, with a $55 plan for 450 minutes of talk time, 200MB of data and no hotspot or SMS usage included. However, the best value comes from Sprint with their unlimited plan, which for $99 includes unlimited voice, data, hotspot usage and SMS.

Compare the different plans using our service plan comparison tool below. You'll also notice that we've included the average download and upload speeds of each carrier across the country - bonus!

Show/Hide Filters:Reset Filters:

Network

Model

Minutes

SMS

Data

Storage

Model

Storage

Network

Mins

SMS

Data

DL Speed (Mbps)

UL Speed (Mbps)

Ping

Hotspot

World Phone?

Monthly Price

Phone Price

4

8GB

a

450

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$54.99

$99

4

8GB

a

450

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$74.99

$99

4

8GB

a

450

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$64.99

$99

4

8GB

a

450

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$99

4

8GB

a

450

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$84.99

$99

4

8GB

a

450

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$104.99

$99

4

8GB

a

900

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$74.99

$99

4

8GB

a

900

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$94.99

$99

4

8GB

a

900

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$99

4

8GB

a

900

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$104.99

$99

4

8GB

a

900

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$104.99

$99

4

8GB

a

900

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$124.99

$99

4

8GB

a

Unlimited

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$99

4

8GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$104.99

$99

4

8GB

a

Unlimited

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$94.99

$99

4

8GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$114.99

$99

4

8GB

a

Unlimited

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$114.99

$99

4

8GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$134.99

$99

3GS

8GB

a

450

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$54.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

450

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$74.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

450

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$64.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

450

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

450

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$84.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

450

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$104.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

900

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$74.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

900

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$94.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

900

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

900

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$104.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

900

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$104.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

900

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$124.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

Unlimited

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$104.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

Unlimited

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$94.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$114.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

Unlimited

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$114.99

$0

3GS

8GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$134.99

$0

4S

16GB

a

450

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$54.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

450

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$74.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

450

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$64.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

450

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

450

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$84.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

450

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$104.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

900

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$74.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

900

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$94.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

900

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

900

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$104.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

900

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$104.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

900

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$124.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

Unlimited

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$104.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

Unlimited

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$94.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$114.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

Unlimited

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$114.99

$199

4S

16GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$134.99

$199

4S

32GB

a

450

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$54.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

450

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$74.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

450

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$64.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

450

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

450

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$84.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

450

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$104.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

900

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$74.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

900

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$94.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

900

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

900

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$104.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

900

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$104.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

900

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$124.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

Unlimited

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$104.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

Unlimited

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$94.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$114.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

Unlimited

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$114.99

$299

4S

32GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$134.99

$299

4S

64GB

a

450

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$54.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

450

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$74.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

450

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$64.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

450

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

450

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$84.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

450

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$104.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

900

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$74.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

900

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$94.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

900

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

900

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$104.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

900

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$104.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

900

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$124.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

Unlimited

None

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$84.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

200MB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$104.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

Unlimited

None

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$94.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Not Available

Yes

$114.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

Unlimited

None

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$114.99

$399

4S

64GB

a

Unlimited

Unlimited

4GB

1.4

0.3

426ms

Yes

Yes

$134.99

$399

4

8GB

v

450

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$69.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$74.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$79.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$94.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$124.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$99

4

8GB

v

450

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$94.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$114.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$144.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$149.99

$99

4

8GB

v

900

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$159.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$104.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$124.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$149.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$154.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$159.99

$99

4

8GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$169.99

$99

3GS

8GB

v

450

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$69.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$74.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$79.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$94.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$124.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

450

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$94.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$114.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$144.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$149.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

900

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$159.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$104.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$124.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$149.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$154.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$159.99

$0

3GS

8GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$169.99

$0

4S

16GB

v

450

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$69.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$74.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$79.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$94.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$124.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

450

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$94.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$114.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$144.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$149.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

900

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$159.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$104.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$124.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$149.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$154.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$159.99

$199

4S

16GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$169.99

$199

4S

32GB

v

450

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$69.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$74.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$79.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$94.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$124.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

450

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$94.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$114.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$144.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$149.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

900

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$159.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$104.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$124.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$149.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$154.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$159.99

$299

4S

32GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$169.99

$299

4S

64GB

v

450

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$69.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$74.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$79.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$94.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$124.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

450

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$89.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$94.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$114.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$144.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$149.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

900

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$159.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

None

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$99.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

250

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$104.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

500

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$109.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

2GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$119.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$124.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$129.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$139.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

None

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$149.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

250

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$154.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

500

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$159.99

$399

4S

64GB

v

Unlimited

Unlimited

5GB

0.5

0.3

419ms

+$20/mo

Yes

$169.99

$399

4

8GB

s

450

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$79.99

$99

4

8GB

s

900

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$99.99

$99

4

8GB

s

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$109.99

$99

3GS

8GB

s

450

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$79.99

$0

3GS

8GB

s

900

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$99.99

$0

3GS

8GB

s

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$109.99

$0

4S

16GB

s

450

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$79.99

$199

4S

16GB

s

900

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$99.99

$199

4S

16GB

s

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$109.99

$199

4S

32GB

s

450

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$79.99

$299

4S

32GB

s

900

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$99.99

$299

4S

32GB

s

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$109.99

$299

4S

64GB

s

450

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$79.99

$399

4S

64GB

s

900

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$99.99

$399

4S

64GB

s

Unlimited

Unlimited

Unlimited

0.4

0.2

543ms

Yes

Yes

$109.99

$399

Other purchase considerations

Signal strength, data allowances and monthly bills are obviously very important, but there are a few other things that you should consider keep in mind before purchasing.

Resale prices

Model

AT&T

Verizon

iPhone 4 - 32GB

$250

$201

iPhone 4 - 16GB

$225

$180

iPhone 3GS - 32 GB

$183

-

iPhone 3GS - 16 GB

$168

-

iPhone 3GS - 08 GB

$138

-

It's likely that in a year or less, Apple will release the iPhone 5 with some shiny new feature that you just must have. One of the best ways to finance the upgrade (which your carrier won't subsidize, as you'll find out below) is to sell on your old iPhone. But because of the different technologies used in the Verizon versus the AT&T version of the iPhone 4, there's been a considerable difference in the resale values of the two phones.

Take a look at the table to the right, it shows exactly how much cash ReCellular are willing to offer for a used iPhone 4 on each network. The discrepancy in prices is due to the fact that the GSM version of the iPhone 4 sold on AT&T can be unlocked and used on T-Mobile here in the US and on other networks abroad, while the CDMA version is locked to only Verizon. Fortunately, this discrepancy should no longer be an issue with the new dual-mode iPhone 4S, but the $99 iPhone 4 still uses the older chipset and is carrier specific. So customers considering buying the $99 iPhone 4 on Verizon or Sprint should beware of an implicit $50 extra cost that's associated with going with the CDMA-specific model.

Early Termination Fees

Network

Early Termination Fees

AT&T

$325 ETF, prorated with a reduction of $10/month.

Verizon

$350 ETF, prorated with a reduction of $10/month.

Sprint

$200 ETF, prorated after 5th month of contract by $10/month to a $50 minimum.

All the carriers requires that you sign up or renew a 24-month contract in order to receive the carrier-subsidized prices that you are advertised by Apple. But there's always a chance you'll need to terminate your contract early: maybe work'll force you to move abroad, or even just moving house, you might find that you need to change or terminate your contract to continue to get service. Each carrier has different early termination fees (ETFs), we've tried to summarize the different programs in this table.

Upgrade policies

Network

Upgrade Policy

AT&T

Fully subsidized upgrade after 20 months (dial *639# to check eligibility), plus a fee of $18. If you're within the first 20 months of your contract, early upgrades cost an extra $250 above regular subsidized pricing.

Verizon

Fully subsidized upgrade after 20 months. Customers who most recently signed a contract before 1/16/2011 may be eligible for an upgrade after 12 months (see here).

Sprint

We're not sure yet how Sprint's discounts will work for the iPhone, but under their newly implemented "New For You Upgrade Program," users are eligible for upgrades after 20 months.

You can check your eligibility for a subsidized upgrade on Apple's website here, but come next fall, it's very likely that Apple will release the iPhone 5, and an iPhone 5S and/or 6 will likely follow. In the meanwhile, there'll be the Nexus Prime and likely a number of other Android contenders. But how soon will you be able to upgrade? Well, as you can see from the table to the right, it seems like the networks have agreed that about 20 months is the optimum figure.

Return Policies

Network

Return Policy Length

Restocking Fees

AT&T

30 days

Customer is responsible for all charges incurred while the device is active, plus a $35 restocking fee.

Verizon

14 days

Customer is responsible for all charges incurred while the device is active, plus a $35 restocking fee.

Sprint

14 days

Customer is responsible for all charges incurred while the device is active, plus a $35 restocking fee. However, the restocking fee is waived for customers who have upgraded but decide to go back to their previously owned and activated device..

If you're considering switching carrier's, there's always the chance that you'll take your shiny new iPhone home and find that you don't get any signal whatsoever in your house. Or you might decide that you'd prefer to wait for the Nexus Prime. In that case, you'll want to make sure your first choice for carrier has a decent return policy. All the carriers offer a return period during which you can return the device and the the Early Termination Fees are waived, but they vary in length and in restocking fees.

A bonus tip: You may be able to avoid the restocking fee by buying directly from Apple (see here).

Tell us what you think:

Which carrier will you be buying your iPhone 4S on? And is there anything we missed out in our comparison? Let us know!

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